First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi! I’m Lionel Hart, and I write M/M romance books. I write primarily fantasy romance but have plans to branch out into a few different subgenres of M/M romance. I live in North San Diego county with my partner and our dog.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
For sure! Well, I’m a gay trans man, so having representation that mirrors my own experiences is important to me. Not all of my main characters are trans, but they are all somewhere in the LGBTQ+ spectrum. But, I do focus mainly on male-male relationships, since that aligns with my own identity and lived experience.
How did you find yourself getting into writing fiction, particularly fantasy adventure with a side of gay eroticism?
I’ve always wanted to be an author, but had put that dream on the back burner as an adult — paying the bills and keeping a roof over my head was my primary focus for a while after getting out of college, when I came out and lost a lot of familial support. Then even when I was in a more stable place, it was hard to get back into writing. It was actually a few months into the pandemic, after I was laid off, that got me into writing seriously again. I had so much free time all of a sudden and decided now was my best chance at making writing my career.
I did a ton of research into the world of indie publishing and decided romance was a genre I enjoyed reading, would enjoy writing, and would give me the best shot at making a living doing what I loved. I knew I would want to write gay romance, of course, and as an avid Dungeons and Dragons player and general fantasy enjoyer, I saw there weren’t a ton of the sorts of stories I liked to read in indie published gay romance. So I decided that would be the niche I focused on, and here we are!
Your book(s) tend to center around male protagonists of fantastical origins. Could you tell us about some elements of these characters you’re excited for others to see in stories?
My debut series, The Orc Prince trilogy, features an arranged marriage between an elf and an orc. I wanted something that felt like a D&D inspired world, and I thought that would be a fun pairing. And since this was going to be a spicy romance, I included some omegaverse-like elements in my lore for elves — the series isn’t exactly an omegaverse series, but there are definitely shared elements so I’d say it’s omegaverse lite, haha.
I also have a more paranormal/urban fantasy series that’s in progress, the Chronicles of the Veil, which features a trans MC with a cis male love interest. The main character Florian finds out that he’s secretly a fae prince prophesied to save the world, and falls in love with his wolf shifter bodyguard along the way. This is a different take on fae and shifters, but I really love these characters and this series, and put a lot of myself in Florian. My partner is a cis man, so their dynamic was one I loved writing and felt very comfortable with.
Lastly, I have a dragon romance duology featuring an immortal dragon with a mortal fated mate. This is a darker romance which I really loved writing, as I got to explore what morality means to an immortal, extremely powerful creature. The dragon MC does a lot of morally questionable things in his attempts to keep his mortal mate with him forever, and I loved writing a villainous character who would not consider himself evil in the least, but would gladly destroy the world for the one he loves!
Were there any books that touched you or inspired you growing up?
Too many to name! I was a voracious reader as a child, so it’s hard to name any in particular. I re-read the Chronicles of Narnia a lot, so I’d say that really started my love of fantasy as a genre. I think that the book that made me decide I wanted to write fantasy books was The Secret of Dragonhome, a YA fantasy novel which I randomly found in the school library and loved it so much that I just never returned it… oops! It’s fairly obscure and I’ve never met anyone else who’s read it, but I read it over and over. I’d say that was my first experience with romantic fantasy, and while I’m not sure that book specifically stands up to the test of time, it definitely shaped my reading and writing habits into adulthood.
Where did you get your start in creative writing? What pulled you to fiction?
To be honest, I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story in kindergarten — my mom still has it — about me finding a dalmatian puppy on the way home from school and convincing my parents to let me keep it. I was obsessed after watching 101 Dalmatians, but wasn’t allowed to have a dog at the time. The story didn’t convince my parents, but I never stopped writing after that. I got my bachelor’s degree in creative writing, and for a while wanted to get more into literary fiction to be a “serious writer” but honestly found I had a lot more fun writing genre fiction instead.
What magic systems/worlds/characters draw your attention?
I play a ton of D&D, specifically 5th edition, so I think that influences my magic systems and worldbuilding. For a future project I’d like to create a new magic system from the ground up, but for now, the worlds I write in have a softer, looser version of D&D’s magic system.
My partner is deep in the A Song of Ice and Fire fandom, so I know a lot about it even though I’m not nearly as big a fan as he is. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to pull off writing a world as intricate and deep as George R.R. Martin has accomplished, but I do love the idea of creating a fantasy world from the beginning, having its own mythos to self-reference and an entire history to pull stories from. I think a lot about that when trying to come up with ideas for future books, so maybe I’ll attempt something that ambitious someday!
As far as characters, that’s so hard to say! I love tragic characters and angst in general, so I think I’m drawn more to characters like that. Those who have dark pasts and carry deep sorrow or grief with them, but work to keep living until they find purpose again. I think a lot of LGBTQ+ people can resonate with those sorts of characters, because we still live in a world where just openly being LGBTQ+ means experiencing a loss of friends and family for a lot of people. That was my reality, too, so seeing characters who struggle but ultimately triumph is a comfort and an inspiration.
Is writing in the genre you have chosen difficult? Do you consider the results worth the challenge?
Fantasy can definitely be a challenge just by the virtue of how much worldbuilding goes into creating a good fantasy story, and while romance has a different reputation, it can still be a challenge for very different reasons. Putting both together creates unique challenges that encompass the pillars of both genres, but I think that when they’re done well, this is absolutely worth the challenge! I love the familiarity of romance beats contrasted to the new, unknown elements of a fantasy backdrop.
Do you have any plans to branch into other genres?
I do, actually! While I plan to stick with MM romance at the core, there are other subgenres I’d like to explore. I recently have been reading a lot of litRPG as a genre, so I have some ideas for more litRPG/progression fantasy-inspired romances, and I’d also like to dip my toes in contemporary MM romance in the future as well.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
I’ve never fully fleshed out a custom, hard magic system. It seems daunting from the outside, but the more I read about creating magic systems, the more I think it’s a challenge I’d like to take on at some time. So I’d like to do that in the future, especially if I decide to move forward with the litRPG-inspired fantasy ideas I have.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
Definitely! I’m currently working on finishing my paranormal romance series, The Chronicles of the Veil. Books one and two are out, and I’m finishing up book 3 now and hope to have it published this spring. Book 4 will be the final book of the series and should be published later this year. I’ve really enjoyed writing this series and I’m eager to share it with my readers!
After that, I think I might give contemporary MM romance a shot. I’ve had some ideas for an angsty rockstar romance series, which would be pretty different from what I’ve written before, but I have three books basically already outlined so I think it would be a fun but fairly quick project to experiment with.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
As mentioned, I play a ton of D&D, haha! I used to be a DM but when I started writing seriously again, I found it difficult to put my creative energy into two big projects, so now I’m a player in two different campaigns. I’m also a huge Pokemon fan and I play a lot of that when I have the time — I love shiny hunting, but I’m not very good at competitive battles unfortunately! I live in San Diego, so when it’s warm my partner and I spend a lot of time at the beach as well.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
This is a tough question, haha. I think someone’s favorite food can tell you a lot about a person, so — Lionel, what’s your favorite food? Thanks Lionel, if I had to pick, it’d have to be sushi for me!
Finally, what LGBTQ+ books/authors/creators would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
So many!! If you want more M/M fantasy romance, especially if it’s spicy, check out Ben Alderson’s books — he has quite a few, but I loved his gay vampire Beauty and the Beast retelling, Lord of Eternal Night.
For a more high fantasy inspired omegaverse series, I’ve loved Corey Kerr’s The Middle Sea series, especially The Sorcerer’s Alpha. Kerr really nails keeping the appeal of omegaverse books in a very different setting, and the fantasy world of this series feels very expansive.
For some spicy trans rep, I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Freydis Moon, especially their novella Exodus 20:3. If you have some lingering religious trauma like me, I think you’ll enjoy this spicy story between a trans man and an angel in disguise.
And finally, for a cozy, non-spicy, sapphic fantasy, I adored Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. I read it with a friend who’s into a very different vein of fantasy romance (cough, ACOTAR, cough) and we both loved it, so I would highly recommend it to just about everyone, especially if they love D&D flavored fantasy.
Michele Kirichanskaya is a first-generation Ukrainian Jewish American writer and journalist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of the New School MFA Program and Hunter College, they have written content for platforms such as Geeks OUT, Catapult, Bitch Media, Electric Lit, The Mary Sue, and more. When they are not writing, they are reading, watching an absurd amount of cartoons, and generally trying to live their life despite its many interruptions. Twitter: @MicheleKiricha1 Instagram: michelekiricha1 Website: https://michelekirichanskaya.com/
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Sure. My name is Michele Kirichanskaya, and I am an asexual writer and journalist, as well as the first-time published author ofAce Notes: Tips and Tricks on Existing in an Allo World. Beyond what’s covered in my bio, I can tell you that I am a huge geek (as partially evidenced by my book at GeeksOUT, ha ha ha) and am constantly consuming in terms of books, comics, and animation.
I also recently started work as a sensitivity reader. On my website it reads:
As a queer first-generation Ukrainian Jewish American reader, for a fee, they can read your book, comic, or script with queer/Jewish/Slavic representation and help identify any biases, stereotypes, harmful tropes, or inaccuracies in mind, as well as provide useful tips on creating more accurate, authentic representation.
Below are the following areas they can consult on:
Jewish Identity/ Culture/ Antisemitism (Especially North American diaspora)
Ukrainian/Russian/Slavic Culture
LGBTQIA+ Identity (Especially Asexual/Aromantic)
I’ve also organized and moderated a number of panels over the years at conventions like NYCC, Flame Con, Anime NYC, MoCCA, and am currently available to do more.
Congratulations on your recent release, Ace Notes: Tips and Tricks on Existing in an Allo World! Could you tell us what it’s about and where the idea for the book came from?
Prior to this book, I had the idea floating in my head of writing down some of the lessons and “notes” I’ve learned existing as an asexual person in an allonormative world. Growing up, ace visibility was only just starting (and still is growing) so there wasn’t a lot of media, fiction or otherwise, on the subject, and I had to do a lot of work to learn what I know today, and figured other ace readers shouldn’t have to work as hard as I had to for information and representation. So when I heard JKP was looking for book proposals from ace writers, I jumped at the chance.
Who do you feel this book is written for? And who do you think would benefit from reading it (if that is a different group)?
In a way this book was written for the younger version of me who didn’t have a book like this when they were first coming out as ace. I wrote this book primarily for those in the ace community, those who might feel a little lost or confused or just looking for information on the subject, but I would love it if non-aces read the book as well.
The book seems to be part “intro to a community”, part “voices and history of the community” and part “how to deal with society outside of this community”. Was that the goal when you started to plan for writing it? Or did it evolve as you worked on it?
I think it might be best to say it evolved as I was writing. Beyond the basic premise of Ace Notes as a field guide or starter guide to asexuality, I basically just started jotting down every concept I could think of related to asexuality, from pop culture/literary representation to consent and relationships. Until the deadline for the book, I simply spent my days writing as much as I could, reflecting on my past experiences and wondering what topics seemed relevant to the discussion on asexuality.
There are a lot of great interviews in this book. Was getting those people lined up a challenge? Was that always going to be a part of this book, or were the interviews something that were added later?
I think it was always my intention to include voices other than my own for this book. I didn’t want anyone coming into the book to think there was only one perspective on asexuality, and that in fact the asexual community is diverse and multifaceted with lots of different intersectional voices, including BIPOC, disabled, etc. As for the people chosen, a lot of the aces interviewed for the book have been those I interviewed before through my work as a journalist, and so I just had the luck of them being open and available to sit down and talk with me for the book, which I’m forever grateful for.
Do you see a follow up book in the future? Are there other topics you wish had been covered? Or for now have you said all you want to on this topic?
Not unless Jessica Kingsley Publishers decides they’re interested in more, lol. For all seriousness though, I would have been game to cover more on asexual representation in pop culture, i.e. talking about the lack of it, as well as the few shows and movies that have done it (mostly) right, like BoJack Horseman, as well as continuing the discussion on intersectionality within the ace community. Who knows, there might be other books in the future on this topic.
There is a lot of discussion and reference to an asexual and aromantic spectrum in the book. While I identify as a gay male, I did connect with a few aspects of that spectrum, which I felt was really enlightening. Do you think many people that don’t consider themselves on either spectrum will read your book?
I can’t predict how many people who are not asexual or aromantic will read this book, but I certainly hope non-aces and non-aros will get a chance to read it, if only to read more about these orientations and become better allies, quite possibly for their own loved ones who might be ace or aro or both.
Were there any books that touched you or inspired you growing up?
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Fairy Realm Series by Emily Rodda
The Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M. M. Blume
xxxHolic by Clamp
Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom by Hisaya Nakajo
Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Unfortunately not a lot of it was explicitly queer growing up, but I am glad to see more and more queer books for younger readers all the time.
Where did you get your start in writing?
Mostly writing notes in notebooks, thoughts I had on the world, snippets of story ideas, etc. In high school, I started out as a writer for a website called, TeenINK, which gave me a platform to display my work and start my ground as an online writer.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your writing journey?
Take care of your mental health. The times when your brain is not producing anything isn’t because you’re being “lazy.” You’re not a golem, you can’t always make yourself work on command. If you’re burnt out and tired, you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anything else.
Are there any future projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
I am currently working on a few projects, but not at liberty to say anything yet. Fingers crossed soon though.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
When I’m not working, I definitely enjoy geeking out in my free time. I would call myself a full-spectrum geek, watching cartoons, researching anything from superheroes to fairytales, going to the library, spending time with my dog, Foxie, just in general feeding my brain creatively.
To borrow a question you had in the interviews featured in your book, what are some things you would want someone to take away from this book about asexuality?
Some of the things I would want people to take away from this book is that ace people aren’t “broken” or “immature” simply by being asexual. There’s nothing “wrong” with our orientation. It’s just another way of existing in the world that deserves to be respected and validated, and not dehumanized or pathologized. The ace community features some of the most loving, creative, and thoughtful people I know, and we have many lessons to give to the world, to both people who are ace and non-ace.
Finally, what LGBTQ+ books/authors/creators would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
Michael Hamm is a geek, model, Cosplayer, and social media personality from the beautiful city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Spending his entire life surrounded and obsessed with comic books, cartoons, and action figures, Michael’s passion for geekdom hit a peak when he attended his fist Comic book convention in 2009.
First attending conventions strictly as a fan, it wasn’t until 2013 at his hometown convention of Hal-Con that Michael fell in love with Cosplay.
Always excitedly, and impatiently waiting for Halloween, Michael was ecstatic to get the chance to dress as his favorite characters more than once a year.
With the support of his friends and family, Michael built a Robin costume that would later go slightly viral causing him to start a fan page due to the overwhelming friend requests. 8 years, and over 50 costumes later there is no looking back as Michael has been able to take what was once a hobby and turn it into a full time job.
Whether an invited guest, a panelist, a judge, or just a fan, Michael strives to promote that Cosplay is about more than costumes, it’s about enjoying your passions and doing whatever makes you happy.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Michael Hamm and I am a Canadian cosplayer, model, and as pretentious as this sounds, a content creator. I’ve been doing cosplay for about ten years in total and about six or seven professionally. Overall, I’m just a geeky guy who likes comic books, comic book related paraphernalia like toys and video games and other stuff like that.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about how your projects relate to the LGBTQ+ community?
Yeah, I tend to get a little bit of flack when it comes to this because I don’t really do a lot when it comes to public representation. I do think the flack is warranted in many ways, but I do try to create queer content and content for queer people. I try to cosplay as many queer characters as I can, but It’s a balancing act between should I just cosplay them just because they are gay or should I actually cosplay them because I like them, or should I cosplay them because other people want to see me cosplay them?
On top of that, I’m really focused on supporting other queer artists. All of my commissions I get done are through queer artists, any artwork I have done I get from queer artists, and I mainly, probably 90 to 95 percent, only promote other queer cosplayers. So yeah, I think personally not a lot of my projects have a lot of queer influence, but what’s important to me is supporting other people in the queer community that aren’t at the same level that I’m at. So, if I can spend the queer dollars that are coming my way on other queer artists I think I’m doing something right. That is where I try to focus a lot of my energy. I’m a fairly private person when it comes to family and stuff like that, I don’t put a lot of that out on the internet.
Photo credit Shaun Simpson
The photoshoot you did recently with you as Jon Kent and another cosplayer (Duy Trương) dressed as Jay Nakamura was great.
Yeah, I loved doing it, but even that got some flack online. It was two queer creators, creating queer content and we got so much shit for it. There is just so much hate in our own community for each other and that is one of those things that prevents me from doing more of that type of content. The fear of everyone just getting pissed off at me. If you just stay quiet, no one can complain about anything.
Photo credit Shaun Simpson
Do you consider cosplaying a career (even if it’s a secondary one) or a hobby?
At this point I definitely consider it a career. That wasn’t always the case though because even when I was truly doing cosplay at a professional level, it still took me a few years to accept that. I noticed at some point, maybe four years in, there was a switch where it went from “I’m making costumes I want to make on my schedule” to being “I’m making costumes other people want, on their schedule.” And whether that is because I have to get new stuff done for a con, or I want to keep up with new content for Pateron, or there is high demand for a new character, or whatever, it just stopped being about me just making some obscure character because I really like them and it quickly became, “Ok, everyone wants to see another Nightwing, so I have to work on making a new Nightwing from that new comic book series.” I think that is when it shifted from a hobby to a career for me. Once I was doing what other people wanted, I realized that I’m selling a service rather than being financially supported by fans of my work.
It’s been so long now but I think it was late 2015, maybe in October-ish. I think I usually just say 2016.
Do you have preferred or favorite fandoms that you cosplay from?
I’m pretty strictly Marvel or DC, I’d say about 80% of my costumes are in that realm. It’s mainly because I don’t think I look good in wigs. I usually just cosplay white guys with brown hair and luckily for me Marvel and DC have a lot more of those than anime or video games protagonists. I definitely could spread out more, and I definitely should. I think anime is such a growing fandom and I know I’m missing a huge demographic of people. Not to mention that I also do enjoy watching anime and want to cosplay a few of my favorites. There are a slew of characters that I love that I’m just not cosplaying because I don’t want to put a wig on, which I know I need to get over. I think it’s my inability to style wigs and being too cheap to buy one professionally done.
Do you attend a lot of events? Do you usually travel for them or are you content to remain in your local area?
I used to travel a LOT and my peak was probably 2017-19. At that point I was gone almost three times a month and I was barely ever home. Sometimes that was for paid gigs, sometimes it was for gigs with free flights and hotel, and sometimes I was just going to conventions to for fun and for personal reasons. Then the pandemic happened, obviously, and everything shut down, and now that everything is back I’ve really changed my views on travel and burnout. I knew by 2020 I had burned myself out on conventions, so now I have told myself that one every two months is my limit. I live in a small town and there is really only one convention locally, so I have to travel for pretty much everything else.
What’s something you haven’t done as a cosplayer that you’d like to do?
My main goal is to try and do more collaborations. After doing the Jon Kent and Jay photoshoot I realized that collaborating is a lot of fun. I’ve always been scared of it because I’ve always been hyper protective of my content and what I put out on the internet. I’m protective of how I’m seen on the internet so collaborating always seemed like a huge risk but in the end it felt really rewarding. Whether or not other people liked it in the end didn’t really matter to me and I just loved seeing the results. The creator of the comic series reshared us and that was a really important moment for me because obviously I like his work. So yeah, collaboration is the thing that I hope I can dip my toes into a little bit more because it always a been a thing I’ve been afraid of doing.
You have recently gotten into more professional modeling and acting, is that something you want to do more of?
Honestly, I’m quite content with just doing the cosplay part. I just did a modeling gig for Olympic hot tubs but that was really great because it’s a gay owned company and I knew that it would be promoted in the Seattle Gay Men’s Chorus. It was a really cool thing to do, but not something that’s common for me. If by happenstance things like that come up again, I have no problem doing it again, but I’m certainly not out there looking those opportunities. At this point I actually spend a lot of time saying no to things because they just don’t interest me. As for acting, that’s something I did a lot of in my early twenties but now I’m more focused on the cosplay.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your cosplaying journey?
It’s going to sound odd, considering what I do, but I really didn’t think it was a sex thing. When I started cosplaying and going to conventions, I was doing a panel called “Cosplay: It’s not a sex thing – How to explain cosplay to your parents”. It was based on the idea that everyone has this connotation of cosplay is roleplay, roleplay is a sex thing, so cosplay is a sex thing. I was trying to dispel that myth and talk about what cosplay really was and why we do it. Now I do a panel called “Cosplay: It is a sex thing – The inexplicable link between cosplay and sex work”. I just wish I had known that there was this whole market back then, because through doing the sexy stuff I’ve become so much more comfortable with myself, and with my body, and with my sexuality. I really think that the past version of Mike in his early 20s would have loved to have been this comfortable with himself. I truly wish I had known that it was OK to be sex positive, especially in regards to cosplay, because I feel like I spent so much time feeling repressed and shunning sexy cosplay.
What surprises you about cosplay?
Everyday feels surprising, but what I’m most surprised by is that so many people are cosplaying and that it continues to grow in popularity almost daily. I always think this is a weird thing, but it’s slowly becoming more and more mainstream. Geek culture in general, is becoming more accepted. There are conventions these days that are strictly for cosplay and it’s become almost typical to see more cosplayers in attendance than regular people. I can’t believe how fast it has just grown in such a short amount of time. I’m surprised that older people know what cosplay is now and it has become a common enough word that when it’s said people don’t have to ask what it is.
How has cosplay impacted your self-image, especially as a queer person?
The effects it has on my self-image ebbs and flows. In the long run it’s definitely been very good for me. Being able to see myself as someone else was a very helpful tactic in learning to love myself. That said, being on the internet obviously can be a very toxic place. For good or bad, everyone is focused on my looks and not on my personality which is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. But I realize that I’m selling looks and not personality, so I can’t complain about that too much. Generally, I try not to talk about the toxic stuff and the people that make me feel bad, so let me just say it’s been good. Honestly, it’s been really, really good for me because through the hate you can learn to appreciate yourself a lot more. You will always read the hateful comments, but then you realize that there are a lot more positive ones, and the people that matter are the ones leaving the positive comments, not the hatful ones. Content creation has also led me to get really into body positivity which has become something that is incredibly important to me. I quickly realized how much fake content I was putting out on the internet. I always had abs, I was always well lit, and I was always trying to look my best. Meanwhile I’m scrolling through Instagram saying “God, I wish I looked like that guy.” Knowing very well that they are likely doing the same thing that I was. People are looking at my content and thinking the same thing. That realization led me to a point where I had to put my foot down and post some more unflattering photos. To my surprise people loved them, which in turn made me want to post more of those photos. It made me feel like I don’t have to be in shape all of the time and I don’t have to just show the highlights of my life. It made me think it was OK not to look like a model every single day and that felt really good.
What’s your favorite photoshoot of your cosplays to date? What do you particularly like about it?
Typically, my favorite photos come from my least favorite photoshoots. Anything that is shot on location I find usually comes out the best. Hawkman comes to mind immediately as one of my favorite photoshoots. Aquaman was also a top tier shoot because we actually got to shoot in the ocean, which was amazing because of all the rocks and crashing waves. But, if I had to pick my number one shoot it would probably be the Venom shoot. That shoot really falls in line with the rule that “anything that was terrible at the time ends up being my favorite”. That was a nine-hour photoshoot where I had to shave my body because the whole suit was made of liquid latex. It was also a continuous series shoot where we wanted the venom to look like it was slowly taking over my body. That meant that we had to do a couple layers, let it dry, and take some photos. Then we would do a couple more layers, let that dry, followed by more photos, and it just kept going for 9 hours. It was excruciating. We also shot it in my apartment, so there was liquid latex everywhere. The worst part was peeling the latex off of my body. Shaun Simpson, the photographer, is allergic to latex, so we had to be extra careful the entire time. It was a nightmare, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Besides, the results speak for themselves in a big way.
Do you like the shoots that are more story driven, since you’ve done a few of them? Like the Venom one and the “Peter Parker comes home after patrolling” one?
Actually, to me those two are kind of the same in my head. The Venom shoot starts off with Peter Parker getting into the shower after a day out patrolling, and the “Spiderman: Coming Home” series is everything that happens before that. Even though that shoot ends a bit differently with Peter going to bed rather than taking a shower, I still think they blend really well together. I love the story driven stuff, but it’s just a lot harder to plan out. I’m not exactly sure if I like that style of shoot better than being able to create individual images because you just can’t get the same epic feel of shooting in studio. When we shoot in studio, we are basically able to make anything happen. If we want a character to be in space, we can edit that onto the green screen. If we want to have a character lifting a car above their head, we can edit that on the green screen. When we are on location doing a story-based shoot it is much harder to add those effects, so we rely on the props and posing a lot more. I guess I don’t really have a clear answer. I like each for different reasons.
Photo credit Shaun Simpson
You have been doing this for a few years now, what changes have happened that you notice, in the industry, and do you think they are good or bad changes?
I think in a tangible sense, things have gotten more affordable, supplies are easier to get a hold of, and there are a lot more resources online. I think that’s mainly because there are just more people doing cosplay and there are a bunch of new and easier to use products being created. When I started, Warbala (which is a heat forming material) wasn’t really a thing, and now it is something you can buy at any craft store. On top of that, fabric is so much easier to get, and cosplayers are even making their own fabric. And let’s not forget about how 3D printing has changed cosplay more than anything else in the entire world.
When it comes to what has changed negatively, I’d say there are more people, which has led to it being a bit more toxic. I feel like the cosplay community used to be really close knit because we were all feeling like outcasts. And while I do still think there is some of that community, I think having cosplay be a lot more mainstream means there is a lot more criticism. No one used to really care if you just bought a cosplay or if you made the cosplay. We would always say that dressing up is what cosplay is all about and it doesn’t matter whether you make it or buy it. I really feel like that has changed in a lot of ways. There is a lot more “Oh, they aren’t really a cosplayer because they bought their stuff.” Which is an incredibly toxic kind of mentality.
Oh! One more positive thing that’s changed is that there are a lot more male cosplayers and a lot more queer cosplayers now. I remember that I used to do panels on “Men in cosplay”, because there were so few of us that I felt I needed to speak on it. Now there are so many guys doing cosplay that a panel like that feels useless. We don’t need a panel on why it’s OK for boys to cosplay. And that’s been really, really great.
As a social media personality, how have you dealt with keeping your private life private?
It’s pretty easy for me, because I keep my private life private in my real life too. I am an extremely private person with major trust issues, so I don’t find it that difficult. I’m the type of person who doesn’t have a group of friends and instead I just have individual friends who have never met each other. I’m sure there is some past trauma to dig up about why, but my private life staying private has never really been a problem. I’m not afraid of anything getting out there though because I remember putting up an amazon wish list once and it had my full name, my home address, and all this other information on it. A lot of people were very worried that I had given out too much information, but I wasn’t, and am still not. Needless to say, I’m not too worried about dangerous packages arriving or people just showing up at my house. That said, I have had a couple of stalker-ish situations that have been a bit worrisome and have made me feel like I need to be a bit more private than I used to be. When I did the Jon Kent and Jay photo shoot, I had to warn the guy who played Jay (@cafededuy) that people would start messaging him about me and asking him questions about me. For some reason people love to become friends with my friends and then use them to get to me. It can be really weird and uncomfortable to see a friend used that way and I think that might be why I don’t do a lot of collaborations. I don’t want to put my friends in any sort of awkward position.
Most of your cosplay income comes from Patreon, correct? How has that worked for a business model?
Nearly 100% comes from Patreon at this point. I do print sales sometimes, but always donate all of that income to charity. And for cons I will usually ask to have my hotel, food and flight covered, but if there is an additional payment for attending a con, I will usually ask for it to be donated to charity as well. I am very lucky that Patreon is generating enough that I don’t have to try and make additional income someplace else. I feel very blessed that I can do that stuff now because it hasn’t always been like that. In the beginning I was getting money anywhere I could. I was doing cons, selling prints, working a fulltime job, selling costumes, doing shout out videos, and yeah… anything. I realize that patreon isn’t sustainable and every year I’m ready for it to end and every year I’m OK with the idea with it ending. I feel very lucky and fortunate to be doing this for as long as I have and if patreon got shut down tomorrow and it all got taken away from me, I would be very happy going to work at a restaurant. Knowing I’ve had six or seven great years of doing my hobby for a living is pretty incredible and more than enough for me.
So, do you have a “retirement” plan, or an idea what you will do next?
No, not at all. I live very cheaply and that is why Patreon can support me, because… I just really don’t spend a lot of money. I put about 70% of my income into savings because I know it won’t last forever. I was very happy living in an apartment, working as a server, and I know I could go back to that and still be just as happy. So yeah, no plan at the moment, but I’m just kind of just riding it out while it’s fun. Believe me though, the minute I no longer enjoy doing cosplay, or the cons begin to outweigh the pros I’m ready to start filling ketchup packets and rolling silverware again.
Are there any new projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
I have a couple of things I can talk about! One is that a friend of mine and I just put out a book, which was very exciting. It’s the story of… well me… I guess. Well not exactly me, but a version of me. It’s about a cosplayer named Michael Hamm who finds a magical gem in the floorboards of the Stonewall Inn, and he gets the power to harness the abilities of anyone he’s ever cosplayed. The book is called Myriad: The Rise of a Superhero and everything surrounding that has been really fun and exciting.
It’s also about to be my ten-year anniversary of cosplaying, so I’m working on “The Ten Years of Hamm” or “X-Hamm” as I like to call it. The plan is to redo some of my original costumes with my new skill sets. It’s also a chance to start working with other artists and getting things commissioned. It’s basically doing a revamp of some old favorites.
I’m getting a Tim Drake design completely commissioned, which is really exciting because it’s being done by this amazing artist who creates the most beautiful suits and with Tim Drake coming out as bisexual, I thought it might be time to finally do the one Robin I’ve been missing. I’m also working on a new Iceman and just finished my new Ash a few months ago. I have a few more things in the works but those will have to wait.
After all that I’m planning going “gay panic blonde” and I have a huge list of blonde characters I’ve been dying to do. I’ve slowly been working on multiple blonde characters over the past year so that once I dye my hair the costumes will already be don and ready to go!
Aside from crafting and cosplaying, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like this question, because I really don’t have any free time. That’s not really a complaint, because my whole life is work and I love what I do. I hear it from my friends all the time. It’s like, “All you talk about is cosplay, all you talk about is Patreon.” Unfortunately for them that is literally all there is. When I’m watching TV, or going to see movies, that is also “work” for me. Right now, I’m watching Vox Machina because I need to know who these characters are when I go to conventions. For example, if someone says that they like my costume, I need to be able to say, “I like your costume too, I love Vex” (a character in the show Critical Role). So even when I’m doing geeky things, like reading comic books, its usually for work. I’m catching up on X-men stuff right now because I’ll have to do a podcast on it soon. I am playing Hades on switch right now and it is one of the best games I’ve played in my life. I know I’m a few years late playing it because I’m pretty sure it won the best game of the year in 2020. Even though I love that game I still find it hard to find time to play. I wake up an hour early just to play it, and then I pick it back up at 11 pm at night because those are the only hours I have that make me feel guilt free. But again, I do love what I do, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. Who else can say “I watched anime for work”? I’m very lucky and happy that work takes up as much time as it does.
You have played some D&D as part of an online stream, was that just for that group? Or is it a hobby you enjoy also?
I started doing D&D a long, long time ago, and we were doing in person games. Then I stepped away for a while. After that I became a part of one online group, and then went into another one that would be broadcast online. The problem is that I live in the middle of nowhere, and my time zone sucks. Everyone wants to start at 7pm their time, which is 9 pm my time, or 10 pm my time, or even 11 pm my time if they are in the west coast. So yeah, I just can’t do it that late, and honestly, I prefer to play it in person now.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
This is a hard question, because it feels like you are asking “What does Mike want to talk about?”. Maybe it would just be nice to get asked “Are you happy?” Is that sad? I get a lot of flirty DMs and comments on my photos but no one asks “How are you? Are your parents doing well?”. That said, I am doing well. I like the slowed down pace of life right now and I think I’ve made some decisions lately to help prevent the burnout I was feeling. I’m excited to just spend time with myself over the next year. The pandemic was obviously tough for everyone, but for me I spent time figuring out who I was and I really didn’t love that. Right now though, I think I’m feeling good, and I think I like myself a bit more. I’m not particularly in shape, I’m not particularly eating very healthy, I’m not getting out and seeing people, but I feel good.
Marshall Ryan Maresca (he/him) is a fantasy and science-fiction writer, author of the Maradaine Saga: Four braided series set amid the bustling streets and crime-ridden districts of the exotic city called Maradaine, which includes The Thorn of Dentonhill, A Murder of Mages, The Holver Alley Crew and The Way of the Shield, as well as the dieselpunk fantasy, The Velocity of Revolution. He is also the co-host of the Hugo-nominated, Stabby-winning podcast Worldbuilding for Masochists, and has been a playwright, an actor, a delivery driver and an amateur chef. He lives in Austin, Texas with his family.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I’m Marshall Ryan Maresca, and I’m a fantasy author and a podcaster. I’ve written 16 novels, a novella and a novelette, most of which take place in the same world. I’m also the host of Worldbuilding for Masochists, a podcast about fantasy worldbuilding in deep and considered ways.
Your stories are a intertwined group of series all taking place simultaneously in the same city. How did you come up with this interesting way of telling your tales?
So, I started the worldbuilding work of the Maradaine setting in the 90s, and I had done a lot of the entire-world, broad-brushstroke work of it all. With that, all of my early attempts to write in it tried to be these giant epics where, because I had made the whole world, I wanted to show off the whole world. When those projects didn’t work, I reconsidered my approach, deciding to narrow my focus to one city in the world, and from there, finding the stories in that city, and how they could come together to be facets of the larger story.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
So, one of the ethos of Worldbuilding for Masochists is “Choose, don’t presume”, in that when you are building the world your stories are in, you want to make deliberate choices of what’s going on in your world, instead of falling back on lazy presumptions. And one of the top presumptions to push back on, for me, is heteronormativity.
Now, in the case of the Maradaine books, my intention was to show a culture in a time of social change, and part of that is shown with more visibility of LGBTQ+ characters as Maradaine goes on. One of the main ones is Jerinne, from the Maradaine Elite books. We first see her just having a crush on one of the other young women in her cohort, and then later has her first kiss with another woman, and then in later books she is starting a potentially long and serious relationship with Rian.
With The Velocity of Revolution, I made completely different choices, namely: I created a culture where pansexual polyamory was a social norm, so almost all of the characters are LGBTQ+.
There have been LGBTQ+ characters in the background of some of your stories, but recently one of the main protagonists in a series was portrayed as bisexual, why was this the time to show that aspect of them?
This is in reference to Asti Rynax in The Quarrygate Gambit. I’ve always known Asti was bisexual, but since the beginning of the series he’s also been carrying a lot of trauma, to the point he doesn’t trust himself to let his guard down at all, let alone be intimate with anyone. I’ve had readers presume he was ace because of that, actually. But Quarrygate gave me the opportunity to give him a quieter moment with Tharek Pell– another character whose queerness was strongly implied in his previous appearance in the saga, but not explicit. And in starting to write that quieter moment, it was clear to me that Asti needed intimacy, and given his traumas, Tharek– someone who you would never describe as a “safe” character, but he’s definitely capable of protecting himself– was the perfect person to have that with. That moment actually wasn’t in my outline, but when I was writing, it just made sense for both of them.
As a writer, what drew you to writing fantasy?
It’s funny, I can’t think of an exact, you know, origin story for that. It’s just a genre that’s always pulled at me, and which I’ve alwasy found the most interesting, just out of the limitless possibilities it has.
Were there any books or authors that touched you or inspired you growing up?
Two of the big ones were the Green Sky Trilogy by Zilpha Keatly Snyder and Watership Down by Richard Adams. Both are absolutely fantasy stories– though Green Sky is kind of fantasy-embedded-within-scifi — but neither of them look like “traditional” fantasy, which I think was instrumental in a lot of my mindset as I’ve been approaching the genre.
Where did you get your start in creative writing? What pulled you to fiction?
It had always held my interest, I know somewhere around middle school I made my first attempts at “writing a novel”, not that I had any idea what I was doing. I actually remember in 7th grade I was attempting to write a fantasy novel called “The Last Righon”, but I had no idea what a Righon was or why someone might be the last one. I just thought it sounded like a cool fantasy title.
How would you describe your writing process? Are there any methods you use to help better your concentration or progress?
Despite my prolific output, I actually have something of a slow-cook process. Often I will have an idea, and then outline it roughly, put it to the side to marinate, then outline it more thoroughly, put it aside again to stew, and THEN, much later, start actually drafting. Honestly, Velocity probably had the fastest turnaround from concept-to-draft in 18 months.
As far as concentration tactics, I’m a big fan of putting in earbuds and then one song on repeat so it drowns out all the “what about this shiny thing?” thoughts that pull me off track.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
I still have a space opera type project stewing in one of the crockpots in the back of my head. Haven’t quite cracked it yet.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and at liberty to speak about?
Right now, I’ve been calling 2023 a “rebuilding year”, as I’m creating some new projects that aren’t Maradaine, as well as readjusting the long-term Maradaine plans. One of them is a secondary-world fantasy, sort-of gaslamp, about people trying to build a theater company in a new city, where I’m also using magic in very class-specific ways as a tool of wealth inequality. I’m enjoying drafting it, but there still are pieces that haven’t clicked into place.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m a big fan of cooking from scratch, which I find very zen and relaxing… most of the time, at least. If you look at my instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mrmaresca/), pretty much everything that isn’t shouting about books is food porn.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
How about, “Hey, are there going to be any new audiobook versions of your books?”
Finally, what LGBTQ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
I have to plug my co-host Cass Morris, whose Aven Cycle books are very bisexual (as is she!). And I’m probably not telling your readers something they don’t already know, but I just adored CL Clark’s The Unbroken. Also Andrea Stewart’s Drowning Empire series, Victor Manibo’s The Sleepless, and Jordan Kurella’s I Never Liked You Anyway.
S.L. Rowland (he/him) is a wanderer. Whether that’s getting lost in the woods or road-tripping coast to coast with his Shiba Inu, Lawson, he goes where the wind blows. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, weightlifting, playing video games, and having his heart broken by various Atlanta sports teams.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Thanks for having me! I’m a fantasy author of over ten books and audiobooks. I got my start writing LitRPG, (If you’re not familiar, think Dungeons & Dragons meets epic fantasy) and I’ve just started branching into more traditional fantasy with my first cozy fantasy, Cursed Cocktails.
What can you tell us about your newest story, Cursed Cocktails? Where did the inspiration for this book come from?
All credit for the inspiration goes to Travis Baldree and his amazing debut novel, Legends & Lattes. It’s an amazing story of a retired orc barbarian who opens a coffee shop. I didn’t know how much I would be drawn to the idea of high fantasy with low stakes, but I loved it.
As I was reading, the idea for Cursed Cocktails started to form. It grew for months and months in the back of my mind while I finished up another project, and by the time I was done, I had this whole world that was ready to be explored. I knew I had to write it.
Cursed Cocktails seems to fall into the “cozy mystery/fantasy” genre, which is a genre I didn’t know I needed until I read and loved it. What caused you to move into that genre?
I felt the same way. After discovering cozy fantasy, I immediately fell in love with the possibilities it could offer for storytelling. One of my favorite tropes is the retired hero/adventurer, and seeing what these characters do when the fighting is over.
After the last few years, I kind of felt like everyone needed a bit of an escape from the doom and gloom of the real world, and cozy fantasy offers that. I love high fantasy and dungeons & dragons, and some of my favorite moments are the small scenes in a tavern or camping by the woods. The idea of writing full novels that capture that feeling was incredibly appealing to me.
As a writer, what drew you to writing fantasy, especially works intended for LQBTQ+ audiences?
Fantasy has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing RPG video games and reading the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. As a kid, I’d often go out into the woods pretending I was on some epic quest and looking for hidden treasure. I’ve always been drawn to the fantastical, magic, elves, dwarves, and the like.
When the idea for Rhoren first came to me, I knew he was an LGBTQ+ character. It wasn’t what defined him, it was just part of who he was. And I wanted to tell his story to the best of my ability.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
I’ve had several books feature LGBTQ+ characters as side characters, but Cursed Cocktails was the first one I’ve written with an LGBTQ+ protagonist. Rhoren is an elven blood mage suffering from the chronic pain caused by years of using blood magic to defend the realm. Once he retires, he moves to a warmer climate in the hopes that it will help with his pain. He’s a little broody at times with a good heart and a desire to help people. When he arrives in Eastborne, he meets Kallum, a human bartender who’s naturally charismatic with a detail oriented personality. The two have an easy-going relationship, balancing one another out in a lot of ways.
Where did you get your start in creative writing? What pulled you to fiction?
I dabbled with creative writing growing up, but never really pushed myself to explore it or hone my craft until much later in life. I had a pretty dysfunctional childhood growing up, but I always found escape in fantasy books and video games. Learning to write fiction has been a lifelong process. There were some very bad Harry Potter-esque attempts at worldbuilding in high school, and then I wrote a few post-apocalyptic short stories in college.
At 27, I took my first shot at writing a novel. It was a post-apocalyptic novel about a guy who dives into a lake and wakes up in the apocalypse. The book wasn’t very good, but it got me started down the path that would eventually become my career. This was when I first realized what it was like to have the characters really come to life in a story, and become more than just words on a page. By 29, I’d started researching publishing and eventually indie publishing. I published my first novel at 30, and I’ve been doing this ever since.
What magic systems/worlds/characters draw your attention?
There’s so much that I love–tolkienesque high fantasy, grimdark, cozy, litrpg. I think they all have something to offer, and depending on my mood, I’ll read just about anything. I love the retired adventurer trope, like Kvothe in Name of the Wind or Viv in Legends & Lattes, which has become a pretty popular in cozy fantasy as well. Morally grey characters can be fun. As long as the characters are written believably, I’ll ride along for the journey.
Your latest book contains drink recipes for the cocktails created in the books. Did you develop them yourself? Have you tried them all? Do you have a favorite?
Creating the drinks for Cursed Cocktails was a really fun experience. I worked in upscale restaurants for 10 years, so I have quite a bit of drink knowledge. Plus, I love a good cocktail. I had an idea for the type of drinks I wanted to include, and I knew I wanted to have a recipe book as a bonus download so that readers could make the drinks themselves.
One of my readers is an amazing bartender, and he’d made one of the magical drinks from my Sentenced to Troll series for fun. I reached out to him for some suggestions, and he helped me narrow down a list of real-world cocktails to use as a guide. Every drink in Cursed Cocktails is based off of a real-world cocktail, with all of the ingredients translated to a fantasy setting.
I’ve tried a good portion of them and one of my favorites is the Nelderland Mule, which is based on a Moscow Mule. There’s something about the copper mug that really sets it off.
Where do you see your stories going in the future? More like Cursed Cocktails, back to your previous works, or in a new direction?
I’d like to do a mixture of stories. One thing about creating the world for Cursed Cocktails is that it’s really epic in scope, allowing for a variety of story styles set in the same world. I already have a handful of story ideas I want to explore there, but I also love litrpg, so I’m sure I’ll write more in that genre as well. I just want to tell good stories with fun characters, wherever that leads me.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
I’m currently working on a second book set in the world of Aedrea, the same setting as Cursed Cocktails. It will feature a character who made a brief appearance in the first book. I intentionally made the world epic, with nine kingdoms and a deep history, so that I could tell a lot of small-scale stories within the setting. I already have ideas for several more books.
After this current book, I’ll be wrapping up the sixth and final book in my Sentenced to Troll series before doing another book within Aedrea.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
That’s a good question. Doing a book tour sounds pretty cool but also incredibly stressful.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I spend a lot of time walking my dog, playing video games, weightlifting, or getting lost in a good Netflix binge. I’m also a big fantasy football nerd, so that consumes way too much of my time in the fall. My interests are all over the place, so there’s usually something to keep me occupied.
Finally, what LGBTQ+ books/authors/creators would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
There are so many great stories that fall under this umbrella with more releasing by the day. It’s great to see more representation in fiction. I think as readers, we can all enjoy stories that are different from our own, but it’s a nice feeling when you can relate to a character on a personal level.
A few of my favorites are The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, and Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne. They all have great characters and are feel-good stories.
G’day! I’m Shaun Simpson, a nerdy photographer from Halifax, Nova Scotia – on the East Coast of Canada; my preferred pronouns are he/him. 🙂 I can be found @ShaunTheShooter on most platforms, or via my social links site at: http://shauntheshooter.ca/
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Thanks! Quickly summarized, I’m just a hardcore geek with a camera. My fandoms generally include anything Star Trek, Star Wars, Marvel or DC. I love reading comics – especially anything Tom Taylor writes – watching anime (BNHA, Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Death Note, etc.), and I’m heavy into IRL science geekery as well.
When it comes to photography, I shoot just about everything from landscapes to portraits, although I’m probably most known for my fitness and cosplay photography.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about how your projects relate to the LGBTQ+ community?
For starters, I’m gay (demi/ace) and massively introverted, but photography has always given me an easy way to experience life from a more comfortable perspective. I love Pride events but being solo in the crowds was always a little anxiety inducing. As a photographer I could shoot the events from the sidelines, put the camera down when I wanted to be social, then I’d start shooting again when I needed to retreat. Since starting in photography I’ve shot numerous Pride events, drag performers and performances, and even worked on a few 2SLGBTQIA+ TV/films productions.
Growing up in a conservative small town, when I was coming out a comment I heard often was a variation of “Gay, why? Women are hot, guys are gross.” – so, when my photography started evolving from just shooting nature and landscapes, I made an effort to show that men, and masculine energy, could be beautiful, sensual, and artistic too.
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot a few cosplays of characters representing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as well; seeing this inclusive evolution of comic book storytelling has been ridiculously inspiring!
How would you describe your creative process? Are there any methods you use to help better your concentration or progress?
Being self-taught in photography and post-production, I took the long way around and trial-and-errored my way into developing a creative process and style.
I digitally develop the photographs in Lightroom, then I load them into Photoshop. I created a Photoshop Action that runs about 60 steps to prepare the image, then I start the retouching process, compositing backgrounds, and adding effects. I have a strict policy of not manipulating a model’s body, but everything else is fair game for my post-production work; my final shots rarely resemble the straight from camera look, even for portraits and headshots.
Work on shots for models/cosplayers tends to be inspired by the people I’m working with; the more I connect and vibe with them, the easier it is for me to focus my creative energy. I think of it the same way as when actors talk about feeding from the energy of a live audience. Some people give that muse-like energy that feeds my creativity – they end up in front of my camera as often as I can book them for a shoot.
When I’m having a creative block, I force myself into doing small steps. Loading the images in Photoshop, completing one simple step no matter how small – just adjusting the cropping and rotation, just fixing a costume imperfection, just selecting a background. Once I get that one step finished, if I don’t feel the creativity flowing, I give myself permission to call it quits for the night, then I try again tomorrow.
What’s something you haven’t done as a photographer that you’d like to do?
I’d love to be able to travel and take my best friend with me to do epic location shoots – from luxurious NYC Penthouses, black-sanded beaches in Iceland, castles in Europe, to ancient forests in Japan; the logistics would be complex, but the memories would last a lifetime.
I’d like to travel to comic conventions to shoot as well. There are so many talented cosplayers around the world that I’ve connected with over the years; it’d be great to finally get to collaborate on a shoot together.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
Chasing likes and follows, trying to be the best photographer in my genre – it’s a fun challenge, but it isn’t sustainable for me; algorithms change, one minute you’re on top, and the next you’re buried below a thousand posts. Those goals weren’t motivating, and the self-applied pressure to constantly grow my audience was just pushing me into hardcore burnout.
I eventually realized, even if I paid to promote a post, the only ‘like’ I watched for was from the person I created the image with; if that person liked the shot, then I’d be happy, and if they say my work has been helpful, in any way – it’s the best feeling. What really motivates and sustains me creatively, as cheesy as it sounds, is the time I get to spend creating art with my friends. Creating something with the potential to be more than just a simple photograph; creating something filled with meaning or value, that’s the goal.
Do you do most of your photography shoots in your area? Or do you travel some?
Mostly just shooting in my area these days. I’d love to travel more for both nature and cosplay/fitness photography, but so far that opportunity hasn’t been readily accessible; maybe someday!
Besides cosplayers, what other subject matter do you work with?
I love finding and capturing beauty in all its forms! I’ll happily shoot pretty much anything – from landscapes and wildlife, to fitness and fashion, and everything in between, with the exception of Weddings – too much pressure, I leave that to the pros.
Are there any new projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
A lot of my studio work is dependent on model/cosplayer availability, which is always a bit of a moving target, but I do have a few fun new cosplay and creative shoots in the works; some new and familiar faces, stay tuned! 😉
Aside from photography, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Besides photography, and my day job in the IT world, my free time is mostly spent being a professional introvert. I had a little brain surgery mishap years ago that left me with a permanent CSF leak/headache, so I tend to spend a fair amount of my time chilling online, at home. You can usually find me in front of my computer playing in Photoshop, at the gym, and catching up on shows or talking about comics with my friends.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
People often make comments, assuming the best part of a photographer’s job is just getting to work with ‘hot’ models. Most everyone enjoys a bit of eye candy, but for me the best part of the job is the conversation that happens during the shoots. Photographer Annie Leibovitz was quoted saying “When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I’d like to know them.” – I find that relatable, I’m a thoroughbred introvert, so it’s sometimes hard to make new connections, but the camera helps with that. The camera creates a connection and also a safety barrier, but as cheesy as it sounds, after a really good shoot, when I put the camera down, I find I’m no longer talking to just a model or a client, but a new friend.
Finally, what LGBTQ crafters or creators would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
If you know my work, you almost certainly know my best friend, cosplayer and content creator extraordinaire, the iconic Michael Hamm (@Hammy73 & @Michael.Hamm.Cosplay on Insta). I’ve worked with Michael on dozens of fitness, fashion, and cosplay shoots over the past decade; check out his Patreon, where most of our work together lives at https://michaelhamm.ca/
Big shoutout to my nightly entertainment while editing photos, the phenomenal Twitch variety streamer Loganolio, and his wonderfully inclusive community. http://loganolio.com/
Highly recommend checking out the inspiring work of my friend Akshay Tyagi, a remarkably talented stylist, and co-creator of the new fashion label Happiness Within. http://happinesswithin.ca/
And things wouldn’t be complete without adding my dearest friend (and ex-), the ineffable James Neish to the list – creativity personified; a talented comic book artist, painter, and illustrator. http://jamesneish.com
Blake R. Wolfe (he/him) is an LGBTQ+ fantasy and romance author of over a dozen books. His work is known for its heartfelt characters, daring adventures, and commitment to preserving the magic and wonder that readers love. Blake resides in Muskegon, Michigan near the shores of the Great Lakes. He spends most of his time writing, usually while sitting on the beach, and cooking/gardening with his partners.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Of course! My name is Blake and I’m a fantasy/romance author. I’ve been writing for a couple of years at this point, although I’ve been dabbling for most of my life. Up until recently I almost exclusively wrote epic fantasy. However, in the past couple of months I’ve been diving into Shifter Romance and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride!
What can you tell us about your newest story, Alpha’s Rejection? Most of your previous books have been fantasy, what made you change to paranormal romance?
I hate to admit this, but Alpha’s Rejection was a complete experiment and an “I don’t care” project. I’d been listening to some shifter romance on Audible and I thought to myself, I can do this. So I gave it a shot. You wouldn’t believe it, but I wrote 99% of the book in 15 days. It just flowed so easily that I could barely put it down. I fully intended it to be a one-off romance novel, have it flop, and never come back to it. But in less than two weeks, it’s become one of my most popular books I’ve ever written. I guess it’s true that good things happen when you’re having fun! Now I’m halfways into the next book in the series and have at least a handful more planned for this year.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
All of my main characters, regardless of the series, are LGBTQ+. I try to make them as real as possible and convey some of the struggle of being LGBTQ+, but I also like to put them in worlds (especially in the fantasy stories) where being queer isn’t a taboo. Sometimes, in situations where people are required to produce an heir (like nobility or royalty) I can create some tension with the characters coming out and going “against the grain”, but usually I just want them to have problems outside of their sexuality. I want them to be first and foremost compelling characters, not just queer people struggling BECAUSE they are queer. I had to go through that growing up and I can’t bring myself to do it to my characters.
As a writer, what drew you to writing fiction/fantasy, especially that intended for LGBTQ+ audiences?
Pure and simple, I wanted to read about people like me growing up and I couldn’t. There were no queer characters in fantasy. It was always the knight in shining armor and his princess. Reading those books, I always saw myself as the hero, but when they got to the romance with the princess, I found myself losing interest. So, when I started writing, I decided I was going to write the kinds of stories I love, for a younger version of myself.
Were there any books that touched you or inspired you growing up?
Most of the books I read growing up were things like Animorphs, Deltora Quest, Jurassic Park, Eragon, and Harry Potter. However, I didn’t really get into the big name fantasy stuff until I was nearly thirty. That being said, movies played a HUGE role in my understanding of the fantasy genre. The Neverending Story, Labyrinth, Stardust, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Studio Ghibli, and a ridiculous amount of anime, not to mention almost every Final Fantasy game. All these pieces of media evoke a nostalgia that’s so deeply comforting and I try to bring that into my work while weaving in a bit more realism. I love dark and gritty stories, but at the same time, I know it can be overwhelming if it’s overdone, so I try to make sure there’s quite a bit of levity at the same time.
Where did you get your start in creative writing? What pulled you to fiction?
As a kid, I used to make up stories all the time and I loved to draw. When I learned that art got me more immediate attention (I was like seven), I leaned into drawing. But there were always little stories happening. During high school and college I would make an attempt, at least once a year, to write a novel and never really got anywhere. However, in 2019, after my divorce, I found myself too emotionally compromised to draw, so I began to write. And wouldn’t you know it, I finished something for the first time in my life. It was a horror novella composed of eleven short stories about a killer mermaid. I published it with a shrug in May of 2020, figuring it would never go anywhere. But people liked it, so I kept writing. Now, nearing on my third anniversary of being a published author, I have fifteen books written, over 1.3 million words under my belt, and more ideas that I could write in a lifetime. This has become the most euphoric and difficult (in a good way) creative experience of my life.
How would you describe your writing process? Are there any methods you use to help better your concentration or progress?
I am 100% a panster (a writer who flies by the seat of their pants). My method is similar to Stephen King’s, although I don’t claim to be anywhere near his level of competency. I come up with a “what if” scenario and then I go nuts. Usually I’ll develop a character, or a magic item, or a problem, and then I sit down and try to solve it. The great thing about this method is that since humans are genetically wired to tell stories, my brain takes care of most of the story beats without me realizing it. However, I do go back, once the draft is done, and clean it up, add foreshadowing, and make sure it flows. I write with a goal of 1500-2000 words per day and I write every single day. That usually means I’m done with a book in less than 60 days unless it’s super long.
As for concentration, I find being excited about the story really helps. If I’m bored while writing it, my readers will be bored, and that simple will not do. I also like to write at night while I’m tired. I close my eyes and leave my fingers on the keyboard, writing what I see in my mind. Sometimes I can bang out 1000 words in twenty minutes if I really get lost and I love that feeling. Definitely hitting that elusive “flow state” that people talk about.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
One of my biggest goals is to go full-time as an author. That is really the one BIG thing I’d like to accomplish. As for the actual creation of books, I want to write a big meandering epic fantasy, something like The Lord of the Rings, but more easily readable. I’m currently working on building a world for that project, but I don’t expect it to be finished anytime soon. I’m in it for the long haul.
What magic systems/worlds/characters draw your attention?
I love intuitive magic because frankly, it saves me a lot of time making up hard magic rules. Hard magic is great, it’s just too stifling for me when I’m trying to be creative. However, I see that as a challenge, so I’m actually trying to figure out a way to make it fun. As for worlds, the bigger and more high fantasy they are, the better. I adore giant magic crystals, floating islands, gods that meddle in the affairs of men, and mages that can grow so powerful that they control the fate of the entire world. Make it big and chaotic and I’m in.
When it comes to characters, I like them to be a little bit broken (I blame Disney for that) and I like them to be a little morally ambiguous. Fantasy worlds are nothing like our own and sometimes that means defending yourself (murderously) with a sword or magic. I think that makes them more real when faced with a problem. There’s an easy way out and there’s the hard/right way and sometimes, they make the wrong decision. It’s relatable, because there is not a single person on this planet who has not made the wrong decision in their life. We can watch these characters fall and then cheer them on as they rebuild themselves from the ashes. So, in reality, I tend to write a lot of phoenix characters.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and at liberty to speak about?
Absolutely! As mentioned, I’m working on Beta’s Bliss, the sequel to Alpha’s Rejection. It’s another shifter romance. After that, I’ll move onto Gamma’s Delight, probably the last in that series. However, that won’t be the end of werewolf romance for me. I’ve got another series idea brewing in the back of my mind.
My giant fantasy project is currently being worked on as well. Right now I know the premise and the name of the world, Eadronem. This will be a much larger epic fantasy, probably a trilogy with pretty thick books. I imagine it will take me a year or more to complete it with other projects going on.
I also have one book, that is incredibly stupid, coming out in March called The Quest for Cowmelot. It’s a fantasy satire/spoof about a cow that pulls Excalibur from the stone instead of Arthur. It makes fun of the entire fantasy genre, it is incredibly ridiculous, and I think I make fun of every major political/rich person figure in the world today. It’s another giant experiment, but I’ve laughed so much writing it that I think people will like it.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to garden and I love to cook, I think those are my two big ones. My partners and I just bought a house in late 2022 and we finally have enough space for a big garden. I’ve got lots of little plants growing already for this season and I can’t wait to cook with those veggies! I actually bought a new wok recently and I’ve been only making Cantonese/Japanese food for the past two weeks, haha. I’m sure they’re getting tired of it, but I really do have a lot of fun learning all these cooking techniques and making some of the best food I’ve had in my life.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
I think a lot of people focus on the creative aspect of being an author, which is awesome. It’s inspiring and it gives people more of a “story” to attach to that author. However, I’m surprised nobody ever talks about the business side of being an author. Being an indie, I have to not only be a good writer, but I have to know how to balance spreadsheets, run ads, hire narrators and cover designers, do taxes, and run marketing campaigns. I LOVE the business-y side of being an author, but I think it’s something a lot of people struggle with. It’s not often that people love math and writing at the same time, so some of those less “fun” skills have to be learned. I’m definitely privileged in the fact that I enjoy both and a successful marketing campaign feels just as good as publishing a successful book.
Finally, what LGBTQ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
One of the best LGBTQ+ books out in the past year is definitely Perception Check by Astrid Knight. She is an incredible author and wordsmith. Her characters and worlds are so ALIVE, you can practically feel the book breathing in your hands. I have the greatest pleasure of working with her and Taiylor Wallace on novelizing one of our recent Dungeons and Dragons campaigns (The Obsidian Archive). It is incredible to work with them both and the stories we create together are so much richer because of that. We recently released book one in the series, The Wayward and the Wanderer, and it’s just amazing. I don’t usually claim one of my own books is good, but this one is GREAT because those two were part of the team!
David R. Slayton (He/Him) grew up outside of Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. David’s debut, White Trash Warlock, was published in 2020 by Blackstone Publishing and was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. The Adam Binder series continues with Trailer Park Trickster (October 2021), and Deadbeat Druid (October 2022).
In 2015, David founded Trick or Read, an annual initiative to give out books along with candy to children on Halloween as well as uplift lesser-known authors from marginalized backgrounds.
A lifelong Dungeon Master, video gaymer, and sci-fi/fantasy/comic book fan, David has degrees in History and English from Metropolitan State University in Denver. He’ll happily talk your ear off about anything from Ancient Greece to Star Trek.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Sure! Like Adam, the main character in White Trash Warlock, I grew up in a trailer outside of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Like him I’m gay and a high school dropout. Now I’m fortunate enough to live in Denver, Colorado with my partner Brian and write the books I always wanted to read.
Congratulations on releasing the last book in your first series, Deadbeat Druid! Could you tell us what it’s about and where the idea for the book came from?
It really springs from my rural background. I love urban fantasy but could never find myself represented on the page, not just as a gay man but as someone who comes from where I do. I wanted to tell a story about people like us and I can’t express how touched I am by some of the emails I’ve gotten from readers who connect with it. Deadbeat Druid is the third book in the series (I hope for more) and is my take on the Odyssey, only it’s a road trip through hell to get the two love interests back together. It’s spooky and weird and full of healing your trauma by facing what you don’t want to.
As a writer, what drew you to writing modern fantasy?
Urban fantasy as a genre has so much flexibility in it, so much variation. I always saw myself as a high fantasy or epic fantasy author, and there’s a lack of representation there too, but I wasn’t making headway publishing in that space so I tried something new and it paid off. I originally started writing White Trash Warlock to remember why I love writing. I was very tentative when I shared it with my agent, but she loved it and it ended up being my debut book. I’m very grateful that it’s been so well received.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
Absolutely! I focus on gay main characters for all of my current books, as that’s my experience. The Adam Binder series also features a bi love interest and including that representation was very important to me. The elven characters we meet are pansexual. Argent is also aromantic and Vran is asexual.
I’m writing the spin off, Rogue Community College, now and I’m happy to get to work with a bigger cast and show more LGBTQ+ characters and relationships.
Your book(s) tend to center around gay and bisexual protagonist(s). Could you tell us about some elements of these character(s) you’re excited for others to see in stories?
I love getting to include the characters’ identity without it being the thing that drives the plot. I always say that I write books about LGBTQ+ characters that aren’t about being LGBTQ+. The Adam series is contemporary fantasy and Adam is from Oklahoma so homophobia and other issues exist, but they aren’t the focus of the story. I’m especially happy to be releasing Dark Moon Shallow Sea later this year as it’s high fantasy in an original world where I could leave homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, etc. behind. In that world, nobody cares about your identity or orientation but which god you worship? That can get you in trouble.
Were there any books that touched you or inspired you growing up?
I especially loved Tolkien and Ursula K. Le Guin when I discovered her work. My mother went deeply into religion at one point and my reading was limited to Star Trek books (big shout out to David Mack here), which were fantastic, but as with fantasy, we just weren’t on the page or on the screen. It’s great to see Star Trek correcting this, but I’ll always be sad I didn’t have that representation when I needed it the most.
How would you describe your writing process? Are there any methods you use to help better your concentration or progress?
I use an Agile Project Management approach to my writing, which means I set weekly goals, track everything in spreadsheets, and try to maintain a consistent daily practice, though sometimes the day job means I just don’t get to write on a weekday and have to make up the time on the weekend.
The best thing I can do is turn off the Internet, social media especially, and just lose myself in the work. It’s also been really important to me to not compare my career trajectory to others. That way lies madness. A lot of what happens in a writing career comes down to luck. The only think you can really control is your writing, so I focus on always learning and continually improving my craft.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
I’d love to be nominated for a Lambda or a Hugo. I’d especially love to see the Adam Binder novels made into a TV series, to see that representation on the screen. I’ll admit that I’m always fan-casting my books. I saw that Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things just came out and my first thought was that he’d be great for Adam.
Your first series has characters that come from the southern states in the United States, why did you pick this area that is usually unwelcoming to people like your protagonist?
We’re not often portrayed in urban fantasy. Books like this one are usually set in big cities like Chicago or New York. It was nice to be able to showcase small town Oklahoma and a smaller city like Denver (where I live now). I also think that so many LGBTQ+ people come from places like Guthrie or have experiences like mine. I wanted to tell our story and I wanted us to have the chance at being the hero. Someone recently asked me why there’s a car chase with a dragon in the book and my answer was how often do you see a gay action hero?
All three of your books mix the modern day world with high fantasy, can you explain how you developed the world you’ve placed your stories in?
I’m all about trying to undermine stereotypes and encourage readers to look beneath the surface. I like to take fantasy tropes and mess with them or flip them on their head. No one in my books is simple and the worlds they inhabit reflect that. For example, the elven realm is beautiful but there’s a shady side to their politics and some of their motivations are outright evil. My friend Shiri said that my elves would have Tolkien spinning in his grave and I take that as a high compliment.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and are at liberty to speak about?
I mentioned Dark Moon, Shallow Sea. It’s queer and dark and full of ghosts and dead gods. It’s everything I love in high fantasy and it’s out on Halloween 2023! It’s Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn meets Dark Souls. On the other end of the spectrum, I have a gay, geeky romance called To Catch a Geek coming out late 2023, maybe 2024. It’s nerdy and full of every nerdy reference I could work into it. It’s really fun. I have also have a spin off to the Adam Binder series, Rogue Community College, coming out in 2024. It picks up on developments in Deadbeat Druid and it’s Umbrella Academy meets Doctor Who with lots of great representation. It’s a bit more cozy which is funny since the main character Isaac is an assassin, but he’s quickly faced with his attraction to another student and the problem of trying to murder a living building.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m a huge gaymer. I’m really excited to see what Bethesda’s Starfield will look like later this year and for Baldur’s Gate III to leave early access. I’m also anxious to get my hands on Jedi: Survivor, the sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order. That quickly became my favorite Star Wars game. Let’s hope Cal gets a boyfriend this time around. I’m a big fan of TTRPGS, Dungeons and Dragons especially. I’m writing an adventure set in the world of Dark Moon, Shallow Sea that I’ll give away on my website as we get closer to the book’s release.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
I was stumped so my partner Brian suggested this one: how do you write about your experience without opening yourself to hurt or pain when you put yourself on the page? My answer is that you don’t. You have to open yourself to the pain to write authentically. Obviously, my characters are fictional. They aren’t me, but I try to give them pieces of myself, enough to make them feel real to the reader. A lot of Adam’s experience around his family and upbringing in the White Trash Warlock series come from my experience. A lot of Raef’s hurt and anger in Dark Moon, Shallow Sea come from my hurt, anger, and my own experiences with faith and religion.
Finally, what LGBTQ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
Some of my favorite authors working in the LGBTQ+ space are: K.D. Edwards’s Tarot Sequence is great urban fantasy. It’s high action mixed with cool magic and witty banter. Cale Dietrich: The Pledge, The Friend Scheme, etc. He just captures that sense of teen want like no one else. Reading Cale’s stuff takes me back to being an awkward gay teen. Helen Corcoran: Queen of Coin and Whispers, Daughter of Winter and Twilight. This is low magic YA sapphic fantasy with deep political machinations. Barbara Ann Wright: The Pyramid Waltz, Thrall, etc. Barbara is the queen of sapphic sci-fi/fantasy romance and has fourteen books ranging from fantasy to space opera. I’m also really excited about Trip Galey’s A Market of Dreams and Destiny coming in September.
Fanart for David Slayton’s Adam Binder series, first three are from Jake Shandy (permission given to author for use); second three are from novaecomic.com (permission given to author for use)
K.D. Edwards lives and writes in North Carolina, but has spent time in Massachusetts, Maine, Colorado, New Hampshire, Montana, and Washington. (Common theme until NC: Snow. So, so much snow.)
Mercifully short careers in food service, interactive television, corporate banking, retail management, and bariatric furniture has led to a much less short career in Higher Education.
The first book in his urban fantasy series THE TAROT SEQUENCE, called THE LAST SUN, was published by Pyr in June 2018. The third installment, THE HOURGLASS THRONE, is expected in May 2022.
K.D. is represented by Sara Megibow at kt literary, and Kim Yau at Echo Lake Entertainment for media rights.
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Of course! I’m the author of The Tarot Sequence series, an urban fantasy that reimagines a modern world with a very real Atlantis. The series is built around several broad concepts: LGBT+ inclusion, found family, humor, tarot card imagery, a lack of toxic masculinity, and lots of immersive world-building in a society that blends science fiction and fantasy.
Congratulations on your upcoming book, The Hourglass Throne! Could you tell us what it’s about and where the idea for the book came from?
It’s the third book in a continuous series and is being released May 17, 2022 – I actually have nine planned books (three trilogies). My largest motivation for the series was to create a wildly different type of society free from many of the biases in our own culture. There is no “gay” or “straight” – Atlanteans operate on a very broad spectrum of gender and sexuality. I wanted to tell a story that honors urban fantasy greats – like Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher – while also featuring a cast of characters that I would have wanted to read as a young gay man.
As a writer, what drew you to writing fiction/fantasy?
I read SFF almost exclusively as a teen, and then moved away from it in my 20s and 30s. When I hit 40, I decided the world…. Well, the world kind of sucks at times. So I turned my back on contemporary fiction and dove whole-heartedly into escapism. I want people to ENJOY these books, and escape from the grind of doom scrolling. I want people to laugh, and care about the characters, and get lost in the wonder of this city I’m creating – a city built from teleported human ruins from across the world. I love that element of SFF. It can be uplifting, and can present a World we deserve.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
In the beginning, I thought I was something special for having a book with a lot of gay men. My readers – my very kind, awesome readers – disabused me of that. Since then, I’ve taken it as a point of pride to really explore the depth of the queer community. My main character, Rune, is demisexual, and in a relationship with a man. Quinn is Asexual. Layne, who was introduced as a 15-year old male teen, now identifies as gender fluid and uses “they/them” pronouns. One of my newest central characters, Lady Death, has had relationships with women in the past. I’m only getting started, too.
Were there any books or authors that touched you or inspired you growing up?
I have a complicated relationship with the books I read growing up. The SFF was so important to my development but, looking back, I can see how homogenous the material was. And how male. It’s so powerfully obvious that those stories lacked diversity. Some of those series I cannot even talk about – especially the ones where the hero’s journey is built on raping others or violence against women.
The urban fantasy stories I read as a young adult fare better. JD Robb’s In Death series; Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson; Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels…. I really adored a lot of the early urban fantasies.
Where did you get your start in creative writing? What pulled you to fiction?
I can’t even remember a time I didn’t want to be a writer. Ever. I think the ability to escape this world and live in another has always been the draw, for me.
What’s something you haven’t done as a writer that you’d like to do?
One of the ways I manage a 9-book series is having huge, tent pole ideas for each book. That satisfies my craving for different sub-genres within SFF. For instance, I’ll have my Natural Disaster novel. I’ll have my Kaiju novel. I’ll have my Roadtrip novel.
But given the constraints of the series I built, there are still stories I wish I could tell. I want to write a space station book. I want to write a post-apocalyptic tale….
What inspired you to incorporate Tarot cards and it’s mythology into your stories?
My own writing has always involved archetypes. I’ve been working on Tarot Sequence for close to 10 years, but the archetypes of Rune and Brand pre-date that by many years. That’s what I love about tarot cards – they’re built on human archetypes and appetites, like Love, Fortune, Nature, Death. My focus is on the major arcana cards, in particular. Given the unique identity of each major arcana card, it seemed like a good idea to build a nobility system around it. My main character, Rune, is the sole remaining heir to the fallen Sun Throne. These novels represent his journey in reclaiming his birthright.
Your last short story collection placed your characters into the COVID pandemic and under lock down. How did your own experiences during that time inspire that work?
Oh my God, those stories SAVED ME. I was just as lost and scared as everyone else during the start of the Pandemic. Putting Rune and Brand through quarantine was my way of coping with it. And it snowballed from there – the response I got from readers also looking for a distraction, or meaning, was fantastic. So I decided to make the stories canon – and haven’t regretted it.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
The Pandemic has changed everything. I moved from a workplace-based day job to work-from-home status. (And I love it.) I also stopped reading books in favor of watching international TV. It really opened my eyes to how perspectives change globally. It expanded my tastes, and gave me new ideas and ideas. I really, really need to get back to reading – but the TV habit still persists for now.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
Hah! If you knew my readers, you’d know that there are very, very few unexplored questions. My readers are amazing, and supportive, and vocal. I am so freaking blessed. They exchange ideas with me, ask questions, make artwork, provide music recommendations… So I’m honestly at a loss at what question I haven’t been asked.
I suppose one question I don’t get often: The series is based in New Atlantis, formed after the fall of Atlantis during the Great Atlantean War. Every now and then a reader asks if I ever intend to take the story back to the abandoned homeland. And the answer? Oh yes.
Finally, what LGBTQ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
I am really loving David Slayton’s Adam Binder series. TJ Klune is one of my favorites. Lynn Flewelling’s Nightrunner books. Gideon the Ninth is magnificent. I know I’ll regret not spending more time on this list….so many suggestions that they bottle-neck in my brain. Oh! Hero by the late Perry Moore remains hugely influential for me. Gregory Ashe is a prolific sci-fi and mystery writer, and I love his Hollow Folk series.
Abigail Hilton finished her first novel when she was fifteen and never stopped writing. She has a science background and a day job in healthcare.
She frequently travels for work, but comes home to the Pacific Northwest, where two elderly tabbies and two Japanese bobtail cats maintain her home in perfect condition. (Haha, j/k; they try to wreck it.)
First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, fellow Geeks! Thanks for having me. “Novelist” has been near the top of my personal identifiers since I was young. I’ve worked hard to build a life with books at the center. I started podcasting my novels back in 2008. I narrated the books myself at first, then moved on to elaborate fullcast productions, all of it “for the love.” Around 2011, Kindle upended things in the publishing world. I discovered that people would pay for my books, which made it easier to justify the massive amounts of time I was spending on them. I moved into ebooks and paper, then into more professional audio. Along the way, I’ve dabbled in all kinds of commissioned illustrations, promotional art, and comics.
My Abigail Hilton books all feature non-human characters. I love the biological sciences and xenofiction. However, I finally realized that most humans would rather read about other humans. I launched my A. H. Lee pen name in 2017, partially to publish steamier titles, but also to see whether I was right there being a larger audience for human characters. Sure enough, that pen name did really well. I still write under both names, though, and I publish everything from children’s books to adult romances. All of my books are some flavor of fantasy, and I gravitate to high fantasy/epic fantasy. Queer characters have been showing up in my stories since that very first novel.
Congratulations on your upcoming series release, Pirates of Wefrivain! Could you tell us what it’s about and where the idea for the books came from?
Pirates of Wefrivain is a redemption story about a couple of dudes who realize they were working for the evil empire and try to switch sides. They fall in love and fight dragons. That’s the first 2 books. Then it opens out into a broader epic, following some of their friends and enemies through war, nautical adventures, and airship battles. All the plot-lines converge in the final book. This series goes to some very dark places (all the trigger warnings), but I promise I am not a nihilist, and you’ll get a happy ending if you stick with me.
Unfortunately, Pirates has a confusing publishing history. The first book was published in 2010. It was originally published as two separate, interlocking series, and the tale spills over into a couple dozen short stories, which were originally published separately and on Patreon. With the publication of the last book, I have repackaged everything into 5 volumes and put it all under the Pirates of Wefrivain series title. New readers can skip all the confusion.
You asked where the idea came from. No clue. The Elder Gods. Lord Frith. Somewhere beyond the Ninth Gate. Sorry, ideas are mysterious and complicated, and I’ve been writing this series for over a decade. This was my second series set in the world of Panamindorah, so it’s not like the world itself was new to me.
What can you tell us about your most popular series, The Knight and the Necromancer? Where did the inspiration for these books come from?
This one is a little easier, because The Knight and the Necromancer (K&N) was fully planned and completed before anything was released. (I had a lot more publishing experience by then.) K&N did not develop organically over many years like Pirates. K&N occurs in my Shattered Sea universe, which I had already fleshed out in The Incubus series. In that way, I guess it is like Pirates. It’s the second series I wrote in an already-established universe.
The Knight and the Necromancer is about the titular characters, who meet under false pretenses, find that they like each other, and then learn that they are natural enemies. Then they have to solve a problem together. This is a well-trod setup, but it’s one that I particularly enjoy, and I had a lot of fun coming up with all the necromancy magic.
The world was influenced by Garth Nix’s Abhorsen books, all things D&D, a little HP Lovecraft, Jonathan Stroud’s massively underrated Bartimaeus trilogy, and many things I’m probably forgetting. Also, don’t judge me, but James Harriot (I mean, for the farms and farmers and livestock-related plot points). The character dynamics were influenced by C.S. Pacat’s Captive Prince, KJ Charles’s entire catalogue, probably a bit by T. Kingfisher, and perhaps even Terry Pratchett.
As a writer, what drew you to writing fantasy, especially epics?
This is another of those “where do the ideas come from” questions. I write the kind of stuff I like to read. I feel like there isn’t nearly enough gritty epic fantasy with queer characters who are allowed to have happy endings.
Since Geeks OUT is a queer centered website, could you tell us a bit about the LGBTQ+ characters featured in your books?
I most enjoy writing gay and bisexual men. Most of my books include at least one gay or bisexual male couple, frequently (though not always) in the lead. But I also like variety. There’s a trans man who is a stealth favorite in K&N. My Hunters Unlucky xenofiction epic includes a lesbian couple, as well as many gender-bending species. There’s an MFF triad in my Pirates of Wefrivain series, in which one of the ladies is on the ace spectrum. I like writing polyamory, although I’ve come to realize that the market for it is limited, so I feel pressured to write about monogamous couples. But my Incubus Series is unapologetic MMF.
How would you describe your writing process? Are there any methods you use to help better your concentration or progress?
Write something before bed. Even if it’s just 200 words. If you go to sleep thinking about it, you wake up thinking about it. Sometimes you solve a problem in your dreams.
As an author, what advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
Nothing will ever be as fun as writing the novel and sharing it with your friends. Making money, being approached by publishers, seeing positive reviews – all that stuff is nice, and you think it will make you happy, but that happiness lasts, like, 5 minutes. Writing the book is the fun part – that state of creative fugue, where it feels like you’re taking dictation. Second most fun is sharing it. Receiving related artwork comes in as a close third, whether it’s art you commissioned or fan art. You don’t need anyone’s permission to do the fun stuff.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your writing journey?
I wish I’d known that I would eventually “make it” in the sense that I have an audience and make a living wage. I spent a lot of time worrying about failure in my teens and twenties. I’m not usually a jealous person, but I felt insanely jealous of traditionally published novelists back then. It turns out, I was already doing the fun stuff! And I would eventually get paid for it, so I needed to just cool my jets.
Are there any new projects you are currently working on and at liberty to speak about?
I’m currently writing some follow-on novels to my Hunters Unlucky series. That’s one of those not-at-all-commercial projects, haha. But they have been insanely fun to write, and a small group of (the coolest) people are excited about them along with me.
The next thing I’m planning to write that I think a large number of people might want to read is a new series that I’ve been calling the Sleipner-verse. This is a new setting, where sailors hunt Lovecraftian monsters for their magic, chasing them through multiple universes in world-hopping ships. The story is about a young man from a wealthy, magic-wielding family, who befriends a lower-deck sailor from one of the slipper ships. They proceed to get into all kinds of trouble.
Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Entertaining my cats, growing carnivorous plants, reading (of course), hiking in out-of-the-way places, and using my passport as often as possible.
What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet, but wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?
What formats are my books available in?
ebook, paper, and audio. You can get most of my audiobooks in many places besides Audible. You can buy them directly from me on my website, which is generally the cheapest way (coincidentally, I also get paid the most). You can also get them on some library platforms.
Finally, what LGBTQ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?
My first experience of gay fiction was Marry Renault. I still return to her work sometimes. She probably seems stilted to a modern audience, but the language is so beautiful, and she can get a sentence wound so tightly that it twangs. Her Alexander books, including the non-fiction biography, absolutely broke my heart. Scenes and lines from those books stick in my head to this day.
I really like KJ Charles. She’s most known for her historicals and her historical urban fantasy. However, my favorite book of hers is neither. It’s The Henchmen of Zenda, which is a queering of the classic Prisoner of Zenda. The book is full of quote-able lines and genuine wisdom. I rarely see anyone recommend it – an under-rated bit of her work.
I’m sure everyone reading this already has an opinion about C.S. Pacat, so let me pitch something of hers that you might not have read. Her short story, “Pet,” is maybe my favorite thing she’s written. It’s set in the Captive Prince universe, but stands on its own, and you can tell that she’s bringing everything she learned from writing CP to the table. It’s deft and understated, gentler than CP, but still has some teeth.
