5 Q’s

On the blog this week is author Genevieve Cogman, whose Invisible Library series centres around the eternal struggle between the forces of chaos and order, represented respectively by the Fae and the Dragons. The fifth and latest instalment, The Mortal Word, continues librarian protagonist Irene’s story.  We caught up with …

In niche genres, independent publishers are more important than ever before. And one of the best speculative fiction presses currently out there is Luna Press. If you’ve never had the opportunity to speak to Francesca, I can’t recommend it highly enough – she knows her stuff and is overflowing with …

At Breaking the Glass Slipper, we love innovative genre fiction. Rowenna Miller’s debut novel, Torn, uses the traditionally feminine art of sewing as the basis for its magic system. We asked Rowenna how she fit so many different elements into the one novel, the background to her magic system, and her …

This week we’re talking to Jane Skudder, bookseller extraordinaire. Essex-born. Yorkshire-based. Once described by a colleague as having been bookselling since the dawn of time, Jane works for Waterstones based in the enviable Wool Exchange building in Bradford. Here she talks about women and awards in the world of books. …

Freelance writer and journalist Jacqui Castle decided to turn her writing talents to fiction, giving us the debut YA dystopian novel The Seclusion. The novel, released in September, has been garnering great reviews. We asked Jacqui about her inspirations and why she loves dystopian fiction so much. What books and writers have …

I was back home in Western Australia recently and, as always, made a point to visit the local speculative fiction specialist bookshop (Stefen’s Books, if anyone is interested – I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area!). While there, I was recommended a YA fantasy novel by a …

Why has the story of Tristan and Iseult endured for more than a thousand years? Kristina Pérez introduces her own brilliant retelling, Sweet Black Waves, a fantasy built on the foundations of history, and in the process shows us why romance is still so popular. Tristan and Iseult is probably …

In this week’s 5 Questions, we chat to author Joanne Hall about short stories vs novels, how gaming inspires her worldbuilding and why it’s still so important to be talking about women’s fiction! What drew you to write speculative fiction? Do you think the genre still has a lot to …

Elizabeth Moon has been publishing novels since 1988 and recently returned to one of her most successful and loved universes, Vatta’s War. In the new series, Vatta’s Peace, Moon reunites her audience with heroine Kylara Vatta, space-fleet commander. As one of the most enduring female voices in military science fiction, we wanted to …

I have been obsessed with Mary Robinette Kowal ever since I read Ghost Talkers (you can read my review here). I was blown away by the originality within a historical fantasy setting. Her characters grabbed hold of me immediately and would not let go. When I saw Mary was publishing a …